What is comfort food? When I’m craving something warm, satisfying, and packed with flavor, nothing beats a classic Italian. Seriously, forget those sad, dry lasagnas you’ve had before. This one? What is the best combination of perfectly cooked pasta, a rich, meaty ragu, creamy béchamel, and melty cheese? Can you stretch for days? What is it like to get a hug from your Italian grandma? Is it better than frozen lasagna? I love this recipe and if you try it, you’ll be hooked. My family begs me to make it, especially on cold winter nights. It’s pure magic.
What is Italian Lasagna?
What is Italian Lasagna? It’s essentially a baked pasta dish made with layers of wide, flat pasta sheets, savory meat sauce. What are some of the best cheeses in the world? Think of it as the ultimate Italian comfort food casserole. The name “lasagna” refers to both the type of pasta and the dish itself. It’s believed to have originated in Italy, and every family has their own special twist on it. What is the best Lasagna recipe I’ve ever made? Recipe, perfected through many, many taste tests (mostly by my very willing family! I always make sure to use high quality ingredients. It really makes a huge difference.
Why you’ll love this recipe?
Where do I start? What I love about this Italian Lasagna is that it’s just incredibly flavorful. The ragu is slow-cooked to perfection, so the meat is tender and the sauce is bursting with rich flavor. What is the difference between cheese and béchamel? Oh, the cheese! It’s a gooey, melty dream.
What makes this recipe a winner? What are the steps involved? Is there any active cooking time? Most of the time is spent letting the ragu simmer and develop its flavor, which is totally worth it! What’s a good way to use up leftover veggies in the fridge?
Why do people love Lasagna? You can use Ground Beef or even ground turkey to make the ragu, and the other ingredients. What are pantry staples? What are some of the best lasagna recipes? Is there any way to adapt this book to your own tastes and preferences? What are some ways to make a vegetarian ragu? What is the best version with mushrooms and spinach? What are some good substitutes for ground beef?
How do I make Italian Lasagna?
Quick Overview
What is the easiest way to make Italian Lasagna? How do I make a creamy béchamel sauce? How do I bake a dish until golden brown? It’s a process, but each step is simple. And the results are worth it. How easy is it to make your own lasagna?
Ingredients
For Ragu (Meat Sauce):
* 1 tablespoon olive oil* 1 onion, chopped * 2 cloves garlic, minced I use ground beef and ground pork for extra flavor. (I use a blend of ground meat and pork) * 1 teaspoon dried oregano * 1/2 teaspoon salt. What are some good ways to add dried basil to a salad? Can crushed tomatoes * 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce * 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional, but it adds a bit of flavor) (no sugar or salt) Salt and pepper to taste.
For the Béchamel (White Sauce):
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter * 1/4 cup all-purpose flour * 4 cups milk (whole milk is best) * 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg * Salt and pepper to taste*
For the Lasagna Assembly:
* 1 pound lasagna noodles (I prefer the oven-ready kind, but you can use regular noodles if you like). What are some good ways to cook ricotta cheese? How do I make mozzarella cheese? * Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
What are the steps to
Step 1: Make the Ragu
In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
Step 2: Add the Remaining Ragu Ingredients
Stir in the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and red onion. What is wine? Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 1 hour, or up to 3 days. Is it possible to cook for 24 The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be. I always do this for at least 2 hours if I can. It makes such a difference!
Step 3: Make the Béchamel
While ragu is simmering, make the béchamel. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk, making sure to break up any lumps. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly. The sauce has thickened. Is there any added Stir in nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste. I once forgot the nutmeg and it was still amazing, but it definitely adds something special.
Step 4: Prepare the Cheese Mixture
In a bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese and ricotta cheese. Set aside.
Step 5: Assemble the Lasagna
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of ragu in the bottom of the 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with a layer of lasagna noodles, overlapping them slightly to cover the bottom of the dish. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of ragu and another layer. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese.
Step 6: Repeat Layers
Repeat layers: noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, Ragu, Béchamel, and mozzarella cheese. Top with a final layer of noodles, ragu, and béchamel. Serve with fresh squeezed lemon.
Step 7: Bake the Lasagna
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the lasagna is heated through. If the top is getting too brown, you can loosely tent it with foil.
Step 8: Rest Before Serving
Let the lasagna rest for at least 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. How do you slice parsley?
What should I serve it with?
What is Lasagna? Can you serve it with a side salad? What are some crusty breads for soaking up all that delicious sauce?What is a good side salad?What is a good vinaigrette to serve with mixed greens? Add some cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion for extra flavor and crunch.For crusty bread: 1Serve with a loaf of Italian bread or baguette. Slice it and serve warm with a drizzle of olive oil.
What are some good ways to serve this as an appetizer?
What are some good red wine recipes?Serve with a bottle of Chianti or chardonnay.For white wine drinkers:Serve with a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. When I bring this to gatherings people are always impressed. Is it easy to make but makes you look like a true chef?
What are some tips for perfecting Lasagna in Italy?
Want to take your Italian Lasagna to the next level? Here are my top tips for making it absolutely perfect:
Don’t overcook the noodles. Do notIf you’re using regular lasagna noodles, be sure to cook them al dente. If you cook them in the oven, you don’t want them to be mushy. Oven-ready noodles are my favorite, though, because they eliminate this step altogether.
Simmer the ragu for as long as possible. The longer the ragu simmers, the richer and more flavorful it will be. If you have the time, let it simmer for at least 2 hours, or even longer. It’s worth it!
Don’t skip the béchamel: The béchamel adds a creamy richness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes. It’s a must-have ingredient in any good lasagna.
Use high-quality cheese: The cheese is a key component of lasagna, so be sure to use good quality cheese. I like to use a combination of mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta cheese.
Let the lasagna rest before slicing: This will help it to set up and make it easier to slice. Let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.
One time I didn’t let the lasagna sit before cutting it and it was a mess. Learn from my mistakes. And never underestimate the power of good cheese. It really elevates the whole dish.
Storing and Reheating Tips
This Italian Lasagna is even better the next day! Here’s how to store and reheat it:
Storing: Let the lasagna cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or store it in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: You can also freeze lasagna for up to 2-3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: To reheat lasagna, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the lasagna in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but it may not be as crispy.
You can also reheat the Italian Lasagna in portions if you want to eat some but not reheat the entire dish. This is what I usually do when I need a quick lunch for myself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
So there you have it—my go-to Italian Lasagna recipe that’s guaranteed to impress. I hope you give this recipe a try! I know it seems like a lot of steps, but it is so easy and incredibly delicious. Trust me, the aroma filling your kitchen alone is worth it. It’s comfort food at its finest, and I can’t wait for you to experience the joy of making (and devouring!) this classic dish.
If you enjoyed this Italian Lasagna recipe, you might also like my Baked Ziti recipe. Happy cooking!
Italian Lasagna
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 9 ounces lasagna noodles
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess fat.
- Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and seasonings.
- Assemble the lasagna in a 9x13 inch baking dish, layering noodles, meat sauce, and ricotta mixture.
- Top with remaining mozzarella cheese and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
